Lisa Gosser

Lisa has lived in Russell County all of her life. She began her journey with The Dance Shoppe when Miss Marti first arrived in the county. She has tumbled, danced, taught and volunteered with The Dance Shoppe for as long as the studio has been in business. She and her husband Matt have two boys...Maxon and Mayes. Along with teaching at The Dance Shoppe she works full time for Lake Cumberland Area Development District in the Workforce Department. She has been privileged enough to perform in numerous productions choreographed by Marti and she plans to perform in many more. "The love I have for The Dance Shoppe is unexplainable. The "on stage" performing/entertaining desire is something I will always have and live for!"

Jessica Critz

Jessica Henson Critz first began dancing at The Dance Shoppe in 1991 at the age of 9 under the instruction of Marti Sallee in tap, ballet, and jazz. Jessica has participated in many different performances over the years to benefit charites including The Kay Bernard God Bless America Show, The Nutcracker, Pinocchio, parades and many other Star Theater productions. She became an instructor at The Dance Shoppe in 1997 and continued until 2001 after graduating from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Elementary Education, and marrying her husband Andy, Jessica left The Dance Shoppe to pursue a teaching career in Lexington, KY. During that time she became a certified Jazzercise Instructor with Jazzercise Incorporated. She also served as an instructor for the award winning Tates Creek High School Color Guard. In the fall of 2007, Jessica was thrilled to return to The Dance Shoppe as a student and instructor. Over the years Jessica was away she found that no matter where she trained or took classes, there was no studio that could provide the warm sense of family she felt at The Dance Shoppe. She currently is employed at the Pulaski County School System as well as teaching dance at The Dance Shoppe.

Zach Grider

Zach began dancing under the instruction of Marti Sallee at the age of 18 months. By the age of 10 he was helping choreograph dances for the Dance Shoppe's annual recital, and by the age of 12 he was instructing tap/jazz combo classes on his own. Zach is a recent graduate of the University of Louisville's college of business with a degree in business administration and an emphasis in marketing and communication. While attending UofL, Zach was a member of the school's spirit squad. He was the cardinal bird mascot for 5 years, training under nationally recognized coach, Todd Sharp. Zach now is head coach of our dynamos all-star cheerleading squad, he also instructs gymnastic classes, hip-hop classes, and private gymnastic classes.

Marti Sallee - Owner

Marti's feet began dancing at age 4, under the direction of Aileen Rufer and continued her studies with Harold Roberts School of Dance. She began her professional teaching career at age 15 for the Metropolitan Parks and Recreation Board and the YMCA. A native of Louisville, she traveled throughout the states studying with well known dance instructors such as Charles Kelly, Frank Hatchett and Gus Giordano. In New York City she studied at the Martha Graham School of Dance, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and the Broadway Dance center. Marti's students have awarded her career by winning top honors at state and national level dance competitions. She was a 4 year member of the UofL Gymnastic Team which ranked 8th in the nation. She is also a 24 year member of the Union Barrack-Aides and has entertained our military throughout the southern states. Marti has choreographed several musicals at The Star Theater including Annie, Footloose, High School Musical, Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, Pocahontas, Wizard of Oz, Nunsense, Nuncrackers, and directed The Nutcracker for 9 seasons.

Meet Our Staff

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Jamie McQueary

Jamie has been with the Dance Shoppe, under the instruction of Marti Sallee, for over twenty nine years. She began teaching dance and gymnastics 21 years ago. Along with instructing at the Dance Shoppe she has also taught at the Dance Co. in Somerset, KY - owned by Patty Grider. She has participated in a variety of different performances over the years - some which include, The Nutcracker, The God Bless America Show ( a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society), Variety Shows, along with many parades and special entertainment performances.Jamie served as coach for the Russell Co. High Dance team in 2002, and as a coach for the Lighthouse Dance team at John Adair Intermediate School in 2002 and 2003. She has choreographed many dance routines for local beauty pageants and recently helped with the Adair Co. Junior Miss Program. Her dream was to dance with the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes in New York City, but found that her home was at the Dance Shoppe with the Starsteppers. Some of Jamie's hobbies are dancing, shopping, being with friends and family and above all being a mom! She resides in Columbia, KY along with her son, Colton, and graduated from Lindsey Wilson College with a bachelor's degree in Human Services and Counseling. Besides the Dance Shoppe --- Jamie is employed by the Adair Co. Board of Education.

Patty Grider

Patty has been involved with dance since the age of 2. She trained with Miss Aileen and continued her studies with The Harold Roberts School of Dance. She began teaching at an early age and continued through college while earning a Biology Degree from the University of Louisville. While attending U of L, Patty was captain of the nationally ranked cheerleading squad for 4 years. After graduating, Patty opened The Dance Company in Somerset. The Dance Co. students earned many top places at National Dance Competitions. The Dance Company was also home of The Tigers All Star Cheerleading Squad who won numerous state and national titles. Patty was a member of The Union Barrack-Ades who entertained our military throughout the country. After nineteen years of owning The Dance Company, Patty closed its doors to spend more time with her family, husband Eric, and children Zach and Taylor.​

Bridget Holmes

Bridget began present dancing career at the young age of three. During her 27 years of dancing experience, she have participated in numerous shows such as The Nutcracker, Annie, The Kay Bernard God Bless America Show (which raised money for the American Cancer Society.) She has taken tap, ballet, and gymnastics from the director Marti Sallee at The Dance Shoppe.At the present time she teaches tap, ballet, and gymnastics to a wide range of students at the Dance Shoppe. Her goal as a teacher is to share her knowledge and love of dance with each and every one of her students. She is married to Doug Holmes, principal at Russell County Middle School. She is a kindergarden teacher at Russell Springs Elementary School. They have a son, Connor, who is a student at The Dance Shoppe and a new baby girl, Claire. Her love of teaching children and dance go hand in hand. She says, "I strive to teach to all of my students and their respective levels. Being a teacher at The Dance Shoppe allows me to give back to my students what Ms.Marti has taught and shared with me over the years."

Ashley Wilson

Ashley Wilson has been a student of The Dance Shoppe for the past 19 years. She trains in tap, ballet, jazz, pointe and gymnastics. She has been a demonstrator for seven years and became an instructor in January 2006. Ashley began performing in Dance Shoppe shows during her very first year at The Dance Shoppe. Since then she has performed several seasons of The Nutcracker, as well as the Star Theater production of "Annie." She was also a dancer in the Christmas Extravaganza. She was a member of The Dance Shoppe Jammers All Star Dance Team and Dynamos Gymnastics team, performing at Rupp Arena in front of thousands of UK basketball fans! Ashley says she loves The Dance Shoppe because she has met so many people and she loves the smiles on the children's faces when they walk through the door. Ashley also has a younger sister, Emily, who is also an instructor at The Dance Shoppe. Ashley now attends Campbellsville University Cosmetology School.